> At that time law enforcement consisted of citizen watches and constables. Sheriffs, in other words. We can debate whether or not more or less power should b

> At that time law enforcement consisted of citizen watches and constables. Sheriffs, in other words. We can debate whether or not more or less power should be given to directly elected sheriffs and deputies, or the police, but that is immaterial. Sheriffs and police are two near identical systems of power that are applied in different manners. The critics of police power are also critical of sheriffs, in many cases more so. I would personally prefer we demilitarize the police, including federal police and the FBI, but the idea that local cops is a standing army is silly.